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The W - Baseball - Fantasy Baseball #4: Clemens + Comeback Players of the Year
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skorpio17
Morcilla








Since: 11.7.02
From: New Jersey

Since last post: 5844 days
Last activity: 5844 days
#1 Posted on

Roger Clemens: Best Pitcher Ever (?)



The “Who is the Best Pitcher Ever?” argument has been going around for a long time. Plenty of names have been thrown around. It seems like there is no wrong answer. When I researched the subject ten years ago, I decided on Tom Seaver. His Wins, ERA, and Winning Percentage just jumped off the page at me. My grandfather said that the worst day in his life was when the Mets traded Seaver. He never again followed baseball after that trade. Rob Neyer also makes the case for Seaver in his recent column, though he places Clemens at a close second.
Seaver

A couple years later, I was sold on Greg Maddux. Maddux was such a good control pitcher that he hardly ever fell behind the hitter. Every pitch was in the strike zone. I can’t remember how rarely he had a 3-0 or even a 3-1 count. Only the last few years haven’t been that kind to Maddux.

I recently read a convincing article by New York Times writer Barra that convinces me Clemens is the best ever. He points out that Clemens had the biggest impact on his teams performance. In his 15 years with Boston and Toronto, they won 52% of their games. Looking closer, their record was 233-124 (65.3%) on days he pitched and 993-1014 (49.5%) on days he didn’t pitch for them. According to Barra this is the largest difference ever for a pitcher with over 100 wins.

Here is a link to an older version of that author’s article (the new article requires NYT registration to view it. )
Barra
For other Pro-Clemens columns check out Verducci and
Neel

For the Anti-Clemens column check out the ever-lovable
Sports Guy

Other writers stressing the importance of quality over longevity have chosen pitchers like
Sandy Koufax
and
Randy Johnson
I think that you have to evaluate them by their entire career and not just their dominant 5 years. I’ll take Clemens’s career over theirs.

My father has his own unique take. He is convinced that Nolan Ryan is the greatest. No facts can convince him otherwise. He looks at the huge number of strikeouts and the insane 7 no-hitters. Clemens never had a no-no, though he came close the other day. I think my father identifies more with Ryan because Ryan made it cool to be an old man in baseball. Everyone loved his retirement tour, even the part where he brawled with Robin Ventura. For any single baseball game, my father would pick Ryan and I’d pick Clemens. I guess we’ll have to wait for the final word when Bill James comes out with his new book. I already know James was a big Clemens supporter during his MVP season, so I think he’ll find a way for the numbers to come out on the side of the Rocket.


Comeback Players of the Year:



Speaking of Roger Clemens, I was thinking of his 1997 Cy Young performance in his first year with Toronto. I was inspired by that performance to name my own comeback players of the year so far. (Actually that years award went to David “No” Justice. Not that it is a memorable award. The 1999 award went to John Jaha and Alex Fernandez.) To win this award, you need to have been very good, then very bad, and now back to very good again. To give out my awards, I’ll look at how well the player is doing according to Yahoo and where they were drafted according to our Wiener league.

Catcher : Javy Lopez – Ranked 75th, Drafted 195th, +120.
First Base : Richie Sexson – Ranked 33, Drafted 91, + 58.
Second Base : Bret Boone -- Ranked 6, Drafted 50, + 44.
DH : Edgar Martinez - Ranked 98, Drafted 331, + 233.

Outfield : Juan Gonzalez - Ranked 51, Drafted 139, + 88.
Outfield : Carl Everett - Ranked 29, Drafted 177, + 148.
Outfield : Preston Wilson - Ranked 14, Drafted 128, + 114.

Outfield : Raul Mondesi - Ranked 32, Drafted 121, + 89.
Outfield : Richard Hidalgo - Ranked 151, Drafted 137, -14.
Outfield : Geoff Jenkins - Ranked 71, Drafted >480 (Undrafted), + 409.

Pitcher : Roger Clemens - Ranked 24, Drafted 100, + 76.
Pitcher : CC Sabathia - Ranked 99, Drafted 147, + 48.
Pitcher : Kevin Brown - Ranked 7, Drafted 109, + 102.

JuanGon was Verducci’s preseason pick for Comeback Player, go Tom. If I have to narrow it down, I’ll take Kevin Brown for coming back from major surgery and Jenkins for being undrafted. Hidalgo gets an honorable mention for coming back from gunshot wounds.

I couldn’t give out any awards at shortstop or third because former top players at these positions have all been disappointing. Could Aurilia and Alfonzo BE any more pathetic? You guys used to be All-Stars. You are hitting around Barry Bonds. Show me something already.

I also didn’t give out any award for closers. It seems that when a closer flames out, you could stick a fork in them. There are no second acts for relief pitchers. Never say Trevor Hoffman again.


Who is better?

Alfonzo Soriano or Bret Boone

Soriano is one of fantasy baseballs top three picks. Everyone who thought his last year was a fluke has never read a fantasy baseball magazine. Take your pick of magazines, he was on the cover of all of them. On the other hand the baseball people thought that Boone’s big year was a fluke. This year he is off to a strong start again. Let’s look at the numbers.

Soriano : 18 HR, 19 SB, 56 Runs, 44 RBIs, .285 Average.
Boone : 19 HR, 6 SB, 55 Runs, 59 RBIs, .319 Average.

In the fantasy world the homeruns and runs are about the same. Boon has a good edge with an extra 15 RBIs and 34 points of Average, but Soriano has 13 more Steals. Steals are very valuable in fantasy baseball. That is why I recently added Coco Crisp to my team (the funny name is just gravy). In fantasy baseball our average team has 72 homeruns, 289 RBIs, and 38 Steals. As you can see here two homeruns is the equivalent of one stolen base and 15 RBIs are worth about two stolen bases. By these turning Soriano’s steals into their homerun equivalents and subtracting the RBIs, he has 20 more homeruns by that calculation. In fantasy baseball you take Soriano.

On the other hand, if you are judging who is having a better season in the context of which player deserves to start the All-Star Game, you have to take Boone. Here I’d also like to look at other factors and intangibles. Soriano has a 20% strikeout rate to Boone’s 17%. Defensively Soriano has great range, but he makes way too many errors. He has 9 Errors to Boone’s 1 this year. He also misses many routine plays. One reason Posada is having trouble throwing out runners stealing second is that Soriano applies sloppy tags to their chest and doesn’t get the calls.

Soriano also has great speed, but no baserunning instincts. The last game I watched he hit the ball deep to center and stood around admiring it until it hit off the wall. He only got a single off what could’ve been a triple. Then when Jeter hit a deep shot to the wall he only made it to third on Jeter’s double. Poor baserunning. I haven’t seen much of Boone, but because of his upbringing I know he is fundamentally sound.


Bottom of the Barrell Award:

Best Waiver Pick of the Week: Simbas Sox

The Padres signing Rod Beck was also a great move. It’s been a long time since he was a closer and I didn’t even know he was in San Diego. He is my top choice for the comeback closer if he can regain his form. I haven’t seen him lately and don’t know if he still has his stuff, but if he still has that Fu Manchu mustache, he can close for me anyday.

My favorite pick was when Simba took Jason Phillips. I closely follow the New York teams and even I didn’t know he was eligible at catcher. With Mo “Money” Vaughn out indefinitely (or at least until claims adjusters bust his insurance scam) Phillips is the Mets everyday firstbaseman. To have an everyday firstbaseman in your fantasy lineup at catcher is a stroke of genius. I used a similar trick last year with Josh Phelps. I admire that kind of trickery.


Fantasy Press Conference:

(In order to quell discontent the owner who traded away Pedro Martinez is having a press conference. He is being grilled by reporters in this question and answer session.)

Reporter: Your fans would like an explanation as to why you traded away your best player for so little in return. Our Web Poll shows that 98% disapprove of this trade; the other 2% were undecided.
Owner : At the time that trade was made, Pedro was injured and was not contributing to the team.
Reporter: He was only on the fifteen day disabled list. It wasn’t a serious injury.
Owner : Really? I had heard he was done for the year?
Reporter: Who told you that? One of your team doctors?
Owner : Well I heard it from some guy on the internet…but he could’ve been a real doctor.
Reporter: Do you regret the trade now?
Owner : Hindsight is 20/20. I’m tired of all you Monday mourning quarterbacks telling me how to run my team! You don’t know the pressure out there. You don’t understand how difficult it is to make trades! This was the best deal available.

Reporter: Isn’t it true that you had an offer of Jason Giambifor Pedro Martinez on the table and you rejected it?
Owner : I can neither confirm nor deny that allegation for fear of tampering charges.
-
Owner : But I will remind you that Giambi was hitting .180 and I’m not going to trade my best player for a .180 hitter.
-
Reporter: Does your team have a plan for the future?
Owner : Now that we have gotten rid of Pedro, we can use his salary to add veterans to our team without incurring any luxury tax.
Reporter: You do realize that there is no luxury tax in fantasy baseball.
-
Owner : ------
Owner : All right, I’ll level with you guys. When that trade happened, I thought I was trading TINO Martinez. I didn’t realize I traded the wrong Martinez until it was too late.

Reporter: If you made a mistake, couldn’t you have simply asked the commissioner to void the trade?
Owner : Any other questions about this trades legality or our recent name change to Altria will have to be answered directly by our leagues commissioner.


Reporter : Mr. Commissioner, What are your thoughts on this controversial trade?
Commissioner: Zzzzz

Reporter : Do you have any comments at all?
Commissioner: Zzzzzzzz

Reporter : Well, it could be worse, at least he’s not Bud Selig.

Promote this thread!
Whitebacon
Banger








Since: 12.1.02
From: Fresno, CA

Since last post: 110 days
Last activity: 10 days
ICQ:  
#2 Posted on
Aramis Ramirez.



Baseball's Sad Lexicon

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."
Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds,
Tinker and Evers and Chance.
Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble,
Making a Giant hit into a double-
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."

by Franklin Pierce Adams ©
Merc
Potato korv








Since: 3.1.02
From: Brisbane, Australia

Since last post: 4723 days
Last activity: 4702 days
#3 Posted on
>>Outfield : Carl Everett - Ranked 29, Drafted 177, + 148.
Outfield : Richard Hidalgo - Ranked 151, Drafted 137, -14.
Outfield : Geoff Jenkins - Ranked 71, Drafted >480 (Undrafted), + 409.<<

Having somewhat of an interest in these fine players I reckon Carl is drifting back out to about 177. He's been pretty crap lately, but is still inflated by his start.

Hidalgo is frustrating as all hell. His peaks are good, but man his troughs are LOW. Still, not bad for a mid ranked hitter.

Jenkins I had last season as well, until he totally busted up his ankle. One of the better pick ups I've made this season. My best performer with the bat over the last month.

Aramis Ramirez? Happy so far. :)



I'm a fat wannabe surfer
Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
Administrator








Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

Since last post: 4 days
Last activity: 3 days
ICQ:  
#4 Posted on
The waiver pick of the week was Valverdi, by me. So far he's been good for 3 saves and a win - his first two saves happened while I had him on Waivers. (edit: He has 5 total - that was confusing)

Stay injured, Mantei. Stay injured.

(edited by Guru Zim on 21.6.03 0222)


Willful ignorance of science is not commendable. Refusing to learn the difference between a credible source and a shill is criminally stupid.
TheCow
Landjager








Since: 3.1.02
From: Knoxville, TN

Since last post: 5884 days
Last activity: 5884 days
#5 Posted on
I've actually got to give the waiver move to whomever got Rodrigo Lopez - if he's got the form he did last year, at least, that could be VERT beneficial to him.

Alternatively, Jose Reyes wasn't a bad pickup, either.

Sorry, Guru, but Mantei's coming back too soon to help ya.
Not to mention that you're still 20 saves short of me, basically.

(Now if I could only get wins, I'd be in a LOT better shape.)







Which Neglected Mario Character Are You?

drjayphd
Scrapple
Moderator








Since: 22.4.02
From: New Hampshire

Since last post: 757 days
Last activity: 341 days
ICQ:  
#6 Posted on
Okay, so it wasn't this week, but I'm still waiting for someone to acknowledge that SOMEBODY picked up Dontrelle Willis AND Jae Seo...

But lately, Willie Harris should be chipping in some steals. And he's not doing badly at the plate, especially today.



Today's Out-Of-Context Quote, Courtesy of hardygrrl:

"...between the grime layer and the Seventies game show host hair, I'd rather rim Undertaker after a White Castle/Schlitz bender."
TheCow
Landjager








Since: 3.1.02
From: Knoxville, TN

Since last post: 5884 days
Last activity: 5884 days
#7 Posted on
Sssssh, we're all trying to forget that it wasn't us that nabbed Willis.

(edited by TheCow on 21.6.03 2059)






Which Neglected Mario Character Are You?

skorpio17
Morcilla








Since: 11.7.02
From: New Jersey

Since last post: 5844 days
Last activity: 5844 days
#8 Posted on
Whitebacon: I'll reluctantly accept Aramis on my team for his .300 Average. I'd like to see more power from him. Two years ago he had 34 Homeruns and 112 RBIs. This year he has less homers than Kenny Lofton. His year could be similar to Edgardo Alfonzo's last year. Now I just need a shortstop for my comeback squad to be complete.

Merciful Death: Everett and Jenkins have had identical careers - very similar. I'll use them for my next Who is Better section.

Guru: I already gave you props for Beck. Valverde is a good pick too. No matter how big the league, there are always bargains to be found on the waiver wire. I make at least one pickup each week.

Cow: I took Reyes myself just for the Steals. He is hitting .180 and I don't see him scoring many runs batting in the Mets 8th Spot.

Drjayphd: Those were good picks. Willis was picked pretty early, I tried adding him after he won 2 games and he was already taken.

Who'll Stop the Rain?



The following rant would be enough for its own thread. But I'm already here so I'll get this off my chest while I'm still pissed.

Thursday afternoon the Yankees were supposed to play Tampa Bay. The team Clemens called a joke. It was also Jason Giambi bobblehead day which meant he was due for another monster game. (That bobblehead stuff is the best thing to happen to baseball since Interleague play.) Anyway, I'm psyched. I've got Giambi and Posada ready to tee off. So what happens, they call the game on account of rain at 1:30. This was only after waiting a half hour for the rain to stop. I'm looking out the window and this is the nicest day we had all week. They could've delayed it one hour and there's no problem. They called it too soon. They must not have sold enough tickets this time. It was a big conspiracy and I'm losing those runs.

Yahoo won't even allow substitutions. They should. A rain out has the same effect as if they never scheduled the game in the first place. Why should I get punished on account of the crappy "global warming" weather? Yahoo get on the stick and let me replace Crawford with another outfielder. (I didn't start Crawford because he can't run off Pettite, but you get my point.)

Today: Once again I get screwed over. I had my desk calander circled with 1:20 written down and I was ready for a great matchup. Mussina vs. Glavine. My favorite rivalry of the year. To me Yanks/Mets even beats the Yanks/BoSox. I've got Mussina, Giambi, Posada, Alomar, and Reyes all starting. I turn on the radio at 12:30. I read the Yahoo and ESPN preview. Nobody is even mentioning the weather. The radio has an interview with Pettie and they are talking about a light drizzle. At 1PM I turn my TV to fox and they do all they can to hype up this Subway series. They knew damn well it wasn't happening this was all bait and switch. Then Fox TV shows highlights of all last nights games. Had they done a live camera shot of Shea, I would've seen that the Tarp is on the field. Finally at 1:10 the radio tells me the Tarp is on the Field. I rush to my computer to change my lineup, but its too late. I'm locked in. Now they tell me the game is delayed and will start at 2:20.

So, I go out shopping for an hour. I'm on the highway and th roads are flooded. Light drizzle my ass; this is a storm of biblical proportions. There are four fire engines taking up the right lane. Trees are down, traffic lights are swaying. We are talking about a soaked to the bone downpour. No fuckin way this game gets played.

I'm watching the first innning and Glavine is out. The man has the staying power of a bottle of baby's milk. (You have to use him within an hour of warming him up otherwise you just throw him out.) I've got Giambi and Posada scoring runs in the first inning. Posada even has a stolen base. Actually the catcher threw behind him and the ball went into the outfield but it was scored an SB. After an hour this game is called on account of the rain that wouldn't stop. Now my ace pitcher Mussina loses a start.

This whole thing stinks. Way to screw over your fans. Make them pay $52 a ticket. (Yes, the Cubs aren't the only team to scalp their own tickets.) Make them drive out to Shea, wait in the rain for an hour to start, keep waiting in the rain, and cancel the game all for nothing. What a waste. They should've just cancelled it by noon. Everyone knew it was a storm. Who were the umpires talking to that told them it would go away in an hour? Even fatass Al Roker knows better than that. Bullshit like this is why baseball sucks.

And with my luck my laptop will get hit with the storm's power surge while I'm typing this. To top things off Manny Ramirez went 0 fer 7. Not my day.


drjayphd
Scrapple
Moderator








Since: 22.4.02
From: New Hampshire

Since last post: 757 days
Last activity: 341 days
ICQ:  
#9 Posted on
First off, look at the standings. I think I needed a leetle more help than Willis y Seo.

And as for Yahoo not allowing subs on rainouts, that's bullshit. Like you said, it's like the game never happened. There's no reason for them to lock you in, especially when the stats don't count. I wouldn't be surprised if they counted the game too. -_-



Today's Out-Of-Context Quote, Courtesy of hardygrrl:

"...between the grime layer and the Seventies game show host hair, I'd rather rim Undertaker after a White Castle/Schlitz bender."
Big Bad
Scrapple








Since: 4.1.02
From: Dorchester, Ontario

Since last post: 1918 days
Last activity: 1487 days
#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.54
In MLB's defense, it's a lot easier for the Yankees to make up a game with Tampa Bay (they play 17-18 times a year) than it is with the Mets.

My best fantasy move of the week was accepting a trade where I get Barry Bonds for Corey Patterson and Gil Meche. Ah, I love gullible people.



Over 1450 posts and still never a Wiener of the Day!






Oliva: You are the weakest link! Goodbye!

Stewie: Ahahaha. Oh God, that's funny. That's really funny. You write your own material? Do you? Because that is so fresh. 'You are the weakest link. Goodbye!' You know I've never heard anyone make that joke before. You're the first. I've never heard anyone reference that outside program before. Because that's what she says on the show, right? Hmmm? 'You are the weakest link. Goodbye!' And ye...ye..yet you've taken it and....and used it out of context to insult me in this everyday situation. What a clever, smart girl you must be. To come up with a joke like that all by yourself. Mmmmm...that's so fresh too. Any Titanic jokes you want to throw at me as long as we're hitting these phenomena at the height of their popularity. Mmmm? Cuz i'm here God you're so funny!


Whitebacon
Banger








Since: 12.1.02
From: Fresno, CA

Since last post: 110 days
Last activity: 10 days
ICQ:  
#11 Posted on

    Originally posted by skorpio17
    Whitebacon: I'll reluctantly accept Aramis on my team for his .300 Average. I'd like to see more power from him. Two years ago he had 34 Homeruns and 112 RBIs. This year he has less homers than Kenny Lofton. His year could be similar to Edgardo Alfonzo's last year. Now I just need a shortstop for my comeback squad to be complete.



As for Aramis' power, check out his last week/month's stats, the power stroke seems to be coming back. As for shortstop, look at Orlando Cabrera. He went from being a gold glover 15hr/96 RBI guy in 01 to 7 and 56, and he's already eclipsed his home run total from last year, and will easily surpass his RBI's from 02 as well.



Baseball's Sad Lexicon

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."
Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds,
Tinker and Evers and Chance.
Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble,
Making a Giant hit into a double-
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."

by Franklin Pierce Adams ©
Merc
Potato korv








Since: 3.1.02
From: Brisbane, Australia

Since last post: 4723 days
Last activity: 4702 days
#12 Posted on

    Originally posted by Whitebacon

    As for Aramis' power, check out his last week/month's stats, the power stroke seems to be coming back. As for shortstop, look at Orlando Cabrera. He went from being a gold glover 15hr/96 RBI guy in 01 to 7 and 56, and he's already eclipsed his home run total from last year, and will easily surpass his RBI's from 02 as well.



It's starting to look like my team is the all comeback team. Or at least a large part of the batting.



I'm a fat wannabe surfer
skorpio17
Morcilla








Since: 11.7.02
From: New Jersey

Since last post: 5844 days
Last activity: 5844 days
#13 Posted on

    Originally posted by Big Bad
    In MLB's defense, it's a lot easier for the Yankees to make up a game with Tampa Bay (they play 17-18 times a year) than it is with the Mets.

    My best fantasy move of the week was accepting a trade where I get Barry Bonds for Corey Patterson and Gil Meche. Ah, I love gullible people.



I heard on talk radio that Thursday's Tampa Bay/Yankees game was cancelled by Steinbrenner because he didn't want Weaver to get a start vs. the Mets in the weekend series. The rain-free "rainout" allowed the Yankees to skip the disappointing Weaver in the rotation. It doesn't make sense to pass up a likely win over Tampa to avoid a likely loss to the Mets, but that's Steinbrenner for you.

I don't see your trade as a slam dunk. If you need the homeruns, its good to get Bonds. If you need the steals and pitching, I can see going with the other two. Don't look now, but Patterson has more RBIs than Bonds. I’ll do a more in-depth analysis of this trade in my next column this Friday.

Whitebacon
Banger








Since: 12.1.02
From: Fresno, CA

Since last post: 110 days
Last activity: 10 days
ICQ:  
#14 Posted on
    Originally posted by skorpio17
    I’ll do a more in-depth analysis of this trade in my next column this Friday.




I await it with baited breath~!

(edited by Whitebacon on 23.6.03 0841)

(edited by CRZ on 23.6.03 0859)

Baseball's Sad Lexicon

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."
Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds,
Tinker and Evers and Chance.
Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble,
Making a Giant hit into a double-
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:
"Tinker to Evers to Chance."

by Franklin Pierce Adams ©
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